SATS, one of the world’s leading providers of air cargo and ground handling services, today announced its Hub Handler of the Future programme, spearheaded by SATS Singapore Hub (SG Hub) to cater to the emerging needs of mega airports designed for high-capacity passenger and cargo operations.
The air cargo industry is undergoing a profound transformation with global air cargo volumes projected to reach 72.5 million tonnes in 2025, with increasing demands for efficiency, scalability, and sustainability according to IATA’s 2025 Vision for the Future of Air Cargo Facilities. Cargo terminal operators must evolve – reimagining operations and developing new specialised services to meet these expectations.
The Hub Handler of the Future programme involves leveraging the breadth, depth and quality of SG Hub’s experience serving Changi Airport to reimagine aviation solutions for airports of the future. The programme will see SG Hub apply its extensive airport operations know-how as it integrates efforts in areas such as automation & digitisation, operational excellence & innovation, safety & sustainability and workforce reskilling to provide a spectrum of aviation solutions to keep mega airports future-ready, and at the top of their game.
Reimagining cargo terminal operations
Through the Hub Handler of the Future, SATS is redefining the role of a cargo terminal operator by integrating automation and real-time operational intelligence to set new benchmarks for turnaround efficiency, safety, and service quality.
The initiative enhances operational agility and resilience, enabling smarter deployment of resources and seamless coordination between ground handling and cargo terminal operations. At the same time, it supports a future-ready workforce through job redesign, technology training, and partnerships with Institutes of Higher Learning — empowering employees to take on higher-value, digitally enabled roles.
Reimagining ground handling operations
The Hub Handler of the Future aims to transform ground handling into a safer, smarter, and more connected operation. The programme seeks to re-engineer the ground handling concept of operations, through the integration of automation, telematics, computer vision, as well as AI-driven prediction and orchestration engines. An AI-enabled orchestration system currently under development will utilise live information and predictive analytics to enable data-driven decision-making. This would, in turn to improve operational efficiency, resilience, and service quality across the SATS’ Singapore Hub.
Specialised cargo services
Beyond conventional cargo terminal operations, SATS is expanding its suite of specialised solutions to meet the growing demand for time-critical, temperature-sensitive, and multi-modal logistics. This includes tailored handling for pharmaceutical, perishable, and e-commerce shipments, as well as freight forwarding and multimodal connectivity that integrates air, sea, and last-mile delivery networks. These end-to-end capabilities strengthen SATS’ position as a trusted partner for global supply chain resilience.
Investing in the future
SATS is investing S$250 million to modernise its air freight terminals and ground support infrastructure. This includes the launch of the Build-Up Handling Centre (BUPHC) in April 2025 as well as the roll-out of new ground service equipment.
Henry Low, CEO, SATS Singapore Hub, said, “The Hub Handler of the Future underscores SATS’ ambition to be an industry leader for mega airports of the future. Our relentless drive for excellence and innovative ways to operate air hubs will elevate and future-proof Singapore’s aviation ecosystem, and serve as a lighthouse for best practices to the world’s aviation community. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and nurturing talent, we will help build resilient, agile, and sustainable hubs for tomorrow. At the heart of this transformation are our people—their dedication, adaptability, expertise, and experience will drive our vision to be the Hub Handler of the Future.”
Established in 2024, the SATS SG Hub at Changi Airport is the Group’s flagship division anchoring a network of over 225 stations across 27 countries. It serves as a strategic node in SATS’ global network, driving innovation and operational excellence across its worldwide operations.
